In New York State, it is illegal for persons under 21 to either purchase alcoholic beverages or drink them (except in their own homes). Even if a youth is over 21, it is illegal for him/her to have in possession in a public place an open container of alcoholic beverages. (This includes, in most areas, motor vehicles.) And it is illegal to purchase alcohol for a minor.
Possession and use of other drugs is illegal with penalties related to age, amounts, type, etc. Mixing alcohol with drugs (such as barbiturates or tranquilizers) can be extremely dangerous if not deadly. New York State laws give heavy penalties for drinking and driving.
The first offense of DWAI ) .05 to .09 Blood Alcohol Content) has a mandatory $300-$500 fine, maximum 15 days in jail and 90-day suspension of your license. A first offense of DWI (.10 and over Blood Alcohol Content) carries a mandatory $500-$1000 fine, minimum 6-month licenserevocation, and up to 1 year in jail. Anyone under 21 who is convicted of any drinking and drving offense may have their license revoked for one year or until they are 21, whichever is longer. The fines and license suspension time go way up if you are convicted again. For more information, call Catherine McDougall, at the Rockland County S.T.O.P.- DWI office.
Scientific studies have shown that most smokers begin using tobacco before the age of 18, half before the age of 15. Nicotine is strongly addictive. Many people who started using tobacco as children find it, as adults, impossible to stop. One in four of them will be killed by his or her addiction.
New York's Adolescent Tobacco Use Prevention Act reduces children's access to cigarettes and other tobacco products by restricting the location of cigarette vending machines, limiting the venues in which free tobacco products may be distributed, and requiring that vendors obtain positive proof of age from all people attempting to purchase or receive tobacco products and who appear to be under 25 years old. The law provides for penalties of up to $1,000 for violations. Repeat offenders can lose their licenses to sell tobacco for one year.
Persons on public assistance must participate in a drug or alcohol rehabilitation program if alcohol and/or drug abuse is a "barrier to employment."
The primary agency responsible for alcohol and substance abuse services in the county is:
ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES 364-2359
Robert L Yeager Health Center, Bldg. F, Pomona 10970
Contact: Fran Draft
OUTPATIENT SERVICES 356-4080
50A S. Main Street, Spring Valley 10977
Comprehensive evaluation and treatment services to alcoholics, substance abusers, and/or family members. Services include:
Drinking Driver Awareness (DWI) 425-1500
80 N. Madison Avenue, 2nd Floor, Spring Valley 10977
Program to help drivers with DWI arrests assess drinking patterns and to develop an awareness of negative influences alcohol has on their lives.
Day Rehabilitation Program 356-4080
50A S. Main Street, Spring Valley 10977
Evening Rehabilitation Program 356-4080
50A S. Main Street, Spring Valley 10977
INPATIENT DETOXIFICATION UNIT 364-2452
Bldg. C, Pomona Health Complex 10970
Provides services to county residents in need of supervised medical detoxification. Includes a Sober-Up-Service where walk-ins are accepted, 24 hours/day, brought in by families and friends to stay until sober.
METHADONE MAINTENANCE TREATMENT PROGRAM 364-2252
Bldg. D, Pomona 10970
Methadone maintenance, individual and group therapy, rehabilitation services for opiate addicted individuals.
PROJECT RAINBOW (MHA) 364-3628
Bldg. J, Pomona 10970
Director: John Slotwinski
An outpatient clinic for young people who are children of alcoholics/substance abusers or are alcohol/substance abusers themselves. Fee: sliding scale.
See District Clinics under MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES Mental Health
ROCKLAND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP 574-4940
238 N. Main Street, Spring Valley 10977
Director: Ron Figueroa
BLAISDELL ALCOHOLISM TREATMENT CENTER 359-1000
Rockland Psychiatric Campus, Orangeburg 10962
Inpatient rehabilitation for those with initial diagnosis of alcoholism.
CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY UNIT 368-5252
Good Samaritan Hospital, Suffern 10901
Inpatient detoxification and rehabilitation program for drug and alcohol abuser (usually at least 21 days).
ALCOHOL OUTPATIENT CLINIC 368-5213
Good Samaritan Hospital, Suffern 10901
The alcohol clinic provides individual, group and family counseling to both the alcoholic/addict and their significant other/family members. A full range of groups are offered (education, recovery, beginners, parents, co-dependency and relapse prevention). Intensive tract meets three times a week. Fee: sliding scale.
RECOVERY CENTER OF NYACK HOSPITAL 348-2070 or 800-922-5535
160 N. Midland Avenue, Nyack 10960
Inpatient alcoholism treatment center offering detoxification and rehabilitation for adults. Comprehensive services include consultation, interventions, individualized care, family programs, free assessments, and 24-hour telephone hotline. Fee: Insurance covered if applicable. Call for information.
CLARKSTOWN COUNSELING CENTER 634-6369
3 East Evergreen Road, New City 10956 634-3454
Director: Emily Feiner
Individual, group and family counseling for residents of the Clarkstown whose problems include, but are not limited to substance abuse. Problems may include family and/or peer relationships, school problems, marital problems or crisis intervention. Psychiatric consultation is available. Fee: sliding scale; no one refused service.
HAVERSTRAW COUNSELING CENTER
Reachout Uptown 429-5731
220 A Congers Ave., Haverstraw 10927
Reachout Downtown 947-2821
41 New Main Street, Haverstraw 10927
Director: Marion Breland
Counseling center for young adults and their family members in the North Rockland area. Individual, family and group counseling, targeting youth-at-risk for substance abuse. Fee: sliding scale; no one refused service.
NYACK REACH OUT TO YOUTH (ROY) 353-4351
42 Burd Street, Nyack 10960
Contact: Brad Jenkins
Drop-in counseling center for individual, group and family counseling; crisis intervention; targeting youth-at-risk for substance abuse; for residents of Nyack. Fee: sliding scale; no one refused services.
ORANGETOWN REACH OUT TO YOUTH (ROY)
26 Orangeburg Rd., Orangeburg 10962
Contact: Brad Jenkins
Drop-in counseling center for individual, group and family counseling; crisis intervention; targeting youth-at-risk for substance abuse; for residents of Orangetown. Fee: sliding scale; no one refused services.
TOWN OF RAMAPO YOUTH COUNSELING SERVICES 352-8900
288 N. Main St., Spring Valley 10977
Director: George Doering, Jr.
Comprehensive counseling centers specializing in the treatment of adolescents and their families. Servicesm include individual, family and group counseling; crisis intervention and referral.
ROCKLAND COUNTY CRACK/COCAINE PROGRAM 352-8900
Intense outpatient program for the treatment of crack/ cocaine addictions. Individual and group therapy. Fee: sliding scale; no one refused service.
523 Rte. 303, Blauvelt 10913
Comprehensive community based program treating adolescents, 13-19 years, who have or at risk of having substance abuse problems; secondary school program available for teens in day treatment program; off-site short and long term residential treatment facilities available. Fee: sliding scale no one turned away because of inability to pay.
SCHOOL COMMUNITY COUNSELORS Check section entitled OUTREACH SERVICES for listing.
ROCKLAND COUNCIL ON ALCOHOLISM AND OTHER DRUG DEPENDENCE, Inc. 358-4357
11 Division Ave. at St. Paul's, 2nd floor, South Nyack 10960
Director: Sandra Bernabei
Nonprofit organization that serves as a clearing house for information and referral for questions and problems related to alcohol and other substance abuse. Free and confidential.
C.A.N.D.L.E. 634-6677 (Clarkstown Awareness Network for a Drug-Free Life and Environment)
30 Parrott Rd., West Nyack 10994
Director: Eileen Browning
Community based effort to educate parents and children to the dangers of youthful alcohol/drug abuse through peer to peer programs, support groups for students (k-12); Peer Helping/Peer Counseling and Varsity Athletes Against Substance Abuse training programs; alternative activities, and special programs.
P.A.R.T.Y. 352-6124 (Please Accept Responsibility for Teen Years)
36 Fawn Hill Dr., Monsey 10952
Contact: Phyllis Eig
Educational and preventive services and activities to make students and parents aware of the dangers of alcohol/substance abuse; for residents of the East Ramapo School.
ROCKLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE 574-4300
SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION SERVICES
Life Career/Educational Planning Center
145 College Rd., Suffern 10901
Contact: Pat Harnett
Referrals to appropriate resources on campus and in the community; alcohol and drug information through resource materials, pamphlets, workshops and seminars as well as assessment and referral services are provided through individual sessions with a counselor.
MARTIN LUTHER KING (MLK) CENTER 425-8910
110 N. Bethune Blvd., Spring Valley 10977
Director: Stella Marrs
Narcotics Anonymous meetings at 8-9:30 p.m. on Mondays. Alcoholics Anonymous meetings at 8-9:30 p.m. on Wednesdays.
OPEN ARMS INC. 429-9514
57-59 Sharp St., Haverstraw 10927
Community residences and supportive living households for recovering alcoholics and addicted persons. Personal interview and referral from alcoholism rehabilitation program.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS 352-1112
24-hour answering service; provides help for persons whowish to stop drinking.
ALANON 352-1112
For members of a family where alcoholism is a problem.
ALATEEN 352-1112
For teens where alcohol is a problem in their home.
ACOA 352-1112
For Adult Children of Alcoholics.
All are support groups for those willing to cope with problems of alcohol abuse. Strength, hope and understanding are emphasized. Call above number (352-1112) for meeting dates and places or call Rockland Council on Alcoholism 358-4357.
NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS 358-4357
For substance abusers. Call Rockland Council on Alcoholism 358-4357. for list of meeting places and days.